Between Islam and the Sacred Forest

Synopsis

An investigation into the rituals in a small village on the coast of Guinea, West Africa to commemorate a recently deceased woman (a Muslim celebration of the 40th day after death conducted by a local Imam, and a Mkisaata ritual, performed by the members of a Nalu female secret society in honour of its deceased member). “Between Islam and the Sacred Forest“ tells a story about the women’s power to create their own space in a male dominated society and the more general struggle between Muslim and indigenous religious practices.